Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of patients with flaccid paralysis after high spinal cord injury. Methods1014 cases with traumatic spinal cord injury were investigated. The patients with flaccid paralysis after high spinal cord injury (spinal fractures above the level of T₁₀) were analyzed. Results6 patients were ananlyzed, including 5 males and 1 female, mean of age was (42±12). The neurological injury involved C₇ to T₈, and the fractures involved T₃ to T₁₀. 3 cases had the neurological deterioration upward at least 3 spinal segments after operation compared with the fractures. One case accomplicated with severe pain in the chest had the subacute progressive ascending myelopathy up to C₇ level. MRI showed extensive atrophy of thoracic spinal cord 6 months later in 5 cases. ConclusionThe incidence of flaccid paralysis after high spinal cord injury was rare. It presents the extensive thoracic spinal cord atrophy, and the causes and mechanisms are not clear.

Key words: spinal cord injury, spinal fracture, flaccid paralysis, spinal cord atrophy